AED Trainer app: Promo codes are available!

by Dr. Bertalan Meskó on April 16, 2012

I’ve written about the AED Trainer, an app by Ivor Kovic, MD that helps learn to use an automated external defibrillator. Now 5 promo codes are available for the app and the first 5 people leaving a comment on this blog post asking for the codes will receive those. Hurry up!

AED Trainer app offers a cost saving alternative for educating laypersons and healthcare providers in the effective use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). It mimics all the features and prompts of existing live AEDs, and allows configuration with scenario builder that provides students with valuable and realistic training.
It can be used by layman and healthcare professionals to get familiar about who an AED works and be ready to use one in case of an emergency. Furthermore, the app can be extremely useful in offering a realistic and immersive training experience on regular CPR & AED courses.

I like the idea for the app. This spreads the message that AEDs save lives and will make people feel more comfortable with them.

I am sure you spent a considerable amount of time on the project.

I do need to point something out however; the sequence immediately goes from a shock to CPR. Actually, the voice prompt needs to say specifically “If needed, begin CPR”. This is very important. If the initial shock converts the rhythm, CPR is not indicated.

However, you are not correct about the voice prompt following shock. It must absolutely say to start CPR. This is very important, because CPR is always indicated after shock, even if it converts the rhythm. This is not only true for lay rescuers using AEDs, but also for professionals using manual defibrillators and procedures of ACLS. All AEDs working according to international guidelines 2010 will recommend to start CPR immediately after shock. Just look at the first video you embedded on your website! It is a demonstration of Philips FRx. Watch and see that is recommends CPR after shock.

The need to minimize interruptions in chest compressions has been shown to greatly improve patient outcomes.

CPR and AED use is continued until the subject regains ROSC. Which happens greater than 90% of the time after the first shock with a biphasic waveform in a witnessed arrest of less than 1 minute. If signs of life and ROSC is achieved, no compressions are given. Chest compressions are not given to someone with signs of life. For example, if ETCo2 is being monitored, a sudden increase is a sign of life.

In prolonged VF (4-5 minutes), a very low percentage (2-3%) of victims have a pulse after the initial shock. CPR is usually indicated in this case immediately following a shock with some clinical judgment as to whether the shock resulted in ROSC.

CPR is indicated after a shock if needed and only if needed. In the video on our web site, the voice prompt clearly states “If needed, begin CPR, for help with CPR, press the blue button”. In the video, when I hit the blue button on the Philips Onsite AED, the CPR voice instructions follow. The manufacturer does this to allow the maximum number of resuscitation scenarios to be covered. The Philips Onsite also has SMART Pads which allow the unit to work at the rescuers pace which greatly speeds the time to shock. Relying on your resuscitation protocol manager, the AED, gives the patient the best chance of survival.

Again, great job on the app. We are talking about specifics here, but overall you have done a great job of spreading awareness about this life saving device.

Hi. Would love to try out your AED trainer app do you still have any Promo codes left? Would love to have one if you do. Just qualified as an ACLS trainer. Your app is going to be really usefull.
Thanks

I agree with a lot of what you said, but completely disagree again regarding what an AED should say and what needs to be done after shock.

The latest guidelines clearly say that compressions need to be promptly continued without any delay after shock. Just as it is necessary to shorten the pre shock phase it is also important to cut the post shock pause. Even if the victim converts to sinus rhythm you should help his/hers heart out with some compressions. You are not looking at the monitor, nor are you checking plus or breathing. You will do that after 2 minutes of CPR. If the victim shows clear signs of life, sure you will stop. But how often does that happen, and how often is an AED applied under 1 minute.

Yes, you can have end tidal CO2 and have a different protocol, but this has nothing to do with using an AED by witnesses.

The only time an AED should say a line like begin CPR if needed is after it recognizes a non shockable rhythm. Then it does not know if this rhythm is PEA or a rhythm with ROSC. If on the other hand it recognizes a shockable rhythm and you deliver a shock it should not say that. If you have one of those, they are not according to new guidelines.

Please take a look at the demo video of the latest Philips model, made according to the new guidelines and specifically to shorten pre and post shock pauses. You will see it recommends CPR without delay – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z60HFVUl5Js

Also, please take a look at the official AHA video, where you will see that even when using a professional Philips MRx defibrillator in the AED mode, rescuers start compressions immediately after shock, just as the AED instructs them to do – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obVQSQf3nrY